Gang-plank.



W. D. MCCORMICK.

GANG PLANK.

APPLlCATION FILED APR-6.1914.

Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

THE NoRms PEYERS C0.. PHoTc-UrHo.. WASH/Nu VON. D. C.

narran srarnls rarnnr oriana.

WILLIAM. D. MCCORMICK, OF UNIONTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 RGBERT W. PLAYFORD, 0F UNIONTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

GANG-PLANK.

Application filed April 6, 1914.

T0 @ZZ whom t may concern Be it known that I, IVILLIAM D. MCCOR- Mrcn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Uniontown, in the county of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gang- Planks, of which the following is a specification.

his invention relates to improvements in gang planks, such as are used for bridging the space between adjoining cars, between a car and an adjoining warehouse, or in similar environments; and the object of the invention is to provide a gang plank of simple, inexpensive and durable construction which is equipped with means for preventing its longitudinal and lateral displacement, the said means being self-adjusting for the various inclinations at which the plank may be arranged.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of a gang plank in which the features of the invention are incorporated; Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof drawn to a somewhat larger scale; and Fig` 3 is a detail sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The gang plank consists of the plank proper, designated generally by the numeral l, and preferably in the form of a metal plate of suitable dimensions, having its upper surface suitably corrugated to prevent those who walk across the plank from slipping. rlhe plank 1 is provided at each side thereof with a brace, designated generally by the numeral 2, the oiiice of which is to hold said plank against retrograde displacement. Each brace 2 comprises a U-shaped clip 3 which is fitted upon the side edge portion of the plank and has at its outer side a laterally projecting post 4; a lever 5 pivotally mounted upon said post, a V-shaped jaw 6 pivotally connected to the outer end of the lever and removable in the plane of the lever, a nut 7 threaded upon the post 4 to prevent lateral displacement of the lever 5 relatively to the clip 3, and a pin 8 to prevent displacement of the clip 3 relatively to the plate 1. IIhe plate 1 has at each side thereof a longitudinal row of openings 9,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2?, 1915.

semi No. saaoic.

each row of openings being preferably coextensive with the length of the plate, and the pin 8 is inserted through any selected one of the openings 9 and through alining openings 10 in the legs of the clip 3. Obviously, when the pin 8 is removed the clip 3 may be adjusted lengthwise of the plank as the circumstances may require. The office of the jaw 6 is to engage the sill or floor adjacent the lower end of the plank and the said jaw has its arms arranged preferably at a 90O angle and provided with serrated gripping faces.

Itis preferred to employ a means adjacent the upper end of the plank for preventing displacement of the plank in an upward direction, and such means may conveniently consist of pins 11 inserted through suitable openings 9. It is preferred to connect the pins 11 and the pins 8 at each side of .the plank by chains 12, which chains pass loosely through openings in the reduced outer ends of the post 4. In this way the pins 8 and 11 are prevented from becoming lost and the nuts 7 are locked against displacement from the post 4.

By virtue of the features of construction described, the plank l is positively prevented from retrograde or lateral displacement consequent to the movements of the trucks in transferring a load. It follows that the gang plank herein described promotes both safety and convenience in the transfer of a load from car to car or from car to Warehouse, or vice versa.

The braces 2 are shown as adjacent the lower end of the gang plank, but in any event, they will engage the sill which will oppose a resistance to the strongest forces tending to produce a displacement of the plank in the direction of its length.

By virtue of the relation of the link 5 to the clip 3 and to the jaw 6, the braces 2 adjust themselves to the different inclinations at which the plank may be set, and moreover, are not affected by any springing action of the plank under the weight of the load. The braces may also be adjusted lengthwise of the plank to accord with the circumstances and conditions of use.

Having fully described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a gang plank and a brace at each side thereof, each brace including a post projecting laterally from the gang plank, a lever pivotally mounted on the said post and a sill-engaging jaw pivoted to the outer end of the lever for movemen in the plane thereof.

2. In combination, a gang plank and ay brace at each side thereof, each brace including a post projectinglaterally from the `gang plank and adjustable lengthwise thereof, a lever pivotally mounted on the said post and a sill-engaging jaw pivoted to the .Y outer end of the lever for movement in the plane thereof.

3. In combination, a gang plank and a brace at each side thereof, each brace including a clip adjustable lengthwise of the Vgang plank and having a laterally projecting post, a lever pivotally mounted on said post and a sill-engaging jaw pivotally connected to the outer end of said lever for movement in the plane thereof.

4c. In combination, av gang plank and a brace at each side thereof, each brace comprising a U-shaped clip fitted over the side edge portion of the gang plank and adjustable lengthwise thereof and having a laterally projecting post, a lever pivoted on said post and a sill-engaging jaw pivotally connected to the outer end of said lever for -movement in the plane thereof.

5. In combination, a gang plank and a brace Aat each side thereof, each brace comprising a U-shaped clip fitted over the side edge portion of the gang plank and adjustable lengthwise thereof and having a laterally projecting post, a lever pivoted on said post, a sill-engaging jaw pivotally connected to the outer end of said lever for movement in the plane thereof, the plank having a longitudinal row of openings at each side thereof, a clip having alining openings in its legs, and a pin for engagement through the openings in the clip and through any one of the openings in the plank.

6. In combination, a gangA plank and a brace at each side thereof, each brace comprising a'U-shaped clip tted over the side edge portion of the gang plank and adjustable lengthwise lthereof and having a laterally projecting post, a lever pivoted on said post, a sill-engaging jaw pivotallyconnected Vto the outer end of said lever for movement in the plane thereof, the plank having a longitudinal row of openings in its legs, a pin for engagement through the openings in the clipand through any one of the openwitnesses.

WILLIAM D.V MOQORMICK.

Witnesses:

J. S. AMEND, JN0. BOYLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for live cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

